Both Sides Show Up at Penn State Protest

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Students at many universities across the country continued protests of the presidential election by holding walkouts.

It's called the "Not My President Walk-Out Protest" and colleges and universities across the country took part. While the walk was held to protest Donald Trump, the rally at Penn State University also brought out several Trump supporters.

The area in front of Old Main at Penn State University was filled with students holding signs and chanting. The students were part of a protest at college campuses nationwide.

There were close to 1,000 Donald Trump protesters, but there were also about a dozen Trump supporters, including Kylie Thomas.

"My shirt says 'adorable deplorable' and it has a heart with the American flag in it," Thomas said.

It was a peaceful protest with readings, chants, songs, and poems.

"They're free to express themselves in whatever way they want, but I believe all of this is senseless. I wanted to come out to express that not everyone thinks the way they do," said sophomore Kevin Fenchak.

The Trump supporters listened and held up signs.

"Trump is our president and we're here to unite people, not divide people like this rally is doing," said freshman Tyler Boob.

"Honestly, I think it's a joke, this 'not my president' thing," said Fenchak. "He was elected. He was elected democratically. He won by a huge margin and just because they don't want to accept it, it doesn't mean they have a valid point."

But those students were in the minority as most of the protesters were there to support Hillary Clinton.

"I am bisexual, so I am a minority, so I feel like never ever in the history of any election has any minority group come together like this," said freshman Anna Klena.

"We don't agree with the results and we don't think Trump is the man who should be president," said freshman Matthew Wasikonis.

"It's nice to see a bunch of people here coming together for what they believe in. It's very peaceful, which is what it should be," said senior Nicole Schaefer.

So what do these students hope to accomplish? Was the protest to make a statement or make a difference?

"Maybe our voices can be heard by the Electoral College because we are in a swing state. It's still possible that it can still swing to blue with the Electoral College," said senior Bryan Puskas.

"I hope that consideration of public opinion comes into play when making decisions that are going to be very prominent in the next couple of months," Schaefer added.

The Trump supporters who attended the rally were quiet but wanted to get their message out.

"I'm just here to watch the protest go on, just want to see how it goes, not really support my fellow Penn Staters, but just see how everything goes," said Thomas. "Donald Trump is the president-elect so no matter what they do, nothing's going to change that."

We need to come together and rally behind our president and make America great again," Boob added.

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12 comments

JessicaInWilliamsport

First of all he didn’t win “by a huge margin”, he’s still losing the popular vote by millions now, had the shoe been on the other foot I recall Trump supporters saying they’d do violence/protest etc… It is within their rights as citizens to protest, people protested Obama too — Clinton too — and several other presidents. Plus, many folks who are now calling for unity were just 4 years ago acting like “crybabies” over an election…. hypocrisy much? After 8 years of people saying “not my president” and all sorts of racist and disgusting things about our president, you honestly expect people to just sit back and accept this quietly? You’re funny. BTW I’m 46 years old, employed and I’m a Bernie or Bust person who voted for Jill Stein. Just in case you wanna throw some stereotypes out there. I will likely be part of a protest in the coming weeks because I too think this divisive con-man isn’t good for our country.

JessicaInWilliamsport

Susan Phillips

we really don’t care if you don’t like the election results. it is what it is. put you big people pants on and deal with it like the rest of us have for the last 8 years. we didn’t like that choice either but we had to live with it anyhow. Time to start acting like the adults you are supposed to be by the time you get to college. What will you do if a boss wants you to do something you don’t like?? start a “not my boss” protest?? what a joke.

Susan Yerke

I agree Susan. A president has been elected…that is it, final. Now we have to do our part as citizens of the United States of America to support the President and stand as “one nation under God, indivisable..” And anyone who threatens the president should be arrested for treason.

Pootfie Novagrantz

Amen sister. I find very interesting that many of the protesters don’t know what they are protesting. I did not like Obama but I did not burn stuff down or march around with no purpose. God bless America.

Stop the hypocrisy!!!

And this is why Hilliary and the machine wants to have free college tuition, to brain wash more American youth and continue producing Alt-left liberal fascists. Our higher education system is as corrupt as our political process. Teaches all the radical left wings agenda. “Do as I say, not as I do” is their real motto. You are protesting against the very foundation of our nation…democracy. Then again, they probably don’t teach about free democracy anymore…..